Meet Morgan Cole Wallen, a talented American country music singer-songwriter born on May 13, 1993. Wallen’s musical journey began with a notable appearance on the sixth season of The Voice, where he showcased his vocal prowess as a member of both Usher’s and Adam Levine’s teams. Following his elimination in the playoffs, he signed with Panacea Records and released his debut EP, Stand Alone, in 2015. Since then, Wallen has achieved remarkable success, garnering an impressive array of accolades, including an Academy of Country Music Award and fourteen Billboard Music Awards, solidifying his position as a rising star in the country music landscape.
Wiki
Full Name: Morgan Cole Wallen
Date of Birth: May 13, 1993
Place of Birth: Sneedville, Tennessee
Origin: Sneedville, Tennessee, U.S
Nationality: American
Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Philanthropist
Genre: Country, Pop
Label: Panacea Records(Fmr.), Loud Republic
Net Worth: $12 Million
Early Life & Career
Morgan Cole Wallen was born on May 13, 1993, in Sneedville, Tennessee, to Tommy and Lesli Wallen. His father served as a local church pastor for a period, while his mother worked as a teacher. Morgan’s early years were marked by a strong foundation in both faith and education, thanks to his parents’ professions. The family later relocated to Knox County, where Morgan attended Gibbs High School. During his high school years, Morgan was an accomplished athlete, playing as a pitcher and shortstop for the school’s baseball team. He had aspirations of continuing his baseball career in college, but those dreams were cut short due to an injury that resulted in a torn ulnar collateral ligament during his senior year.
Despite this setback, Morgan’s early exposure to music played a significant role in shaping his future. He began taking piano and violin lessons as a child, and his father introduced him to a wide range of musical genres, including classic rock. During his teenage years, Morgan developed a diverse musical taste, gravitating towards bands like Breaking Benjamin and Nickelback, as well as rappers like Lil Wayne. This eclectic mix of influences would later inform his unique sound as an artist.
Following his baseball injury, Morgan found himself adrift and turned to landscaping work after high school. During this period, he rediscovered his passion for music and began learning to play the guitar. He developed a deep appreciation for country music, particularly influenced by artists such as Keith Whitley and Eric Church. These influences helped him to refine his sound and set his sights on a career in music.
In 2014, Morgan Wallen auditioned for the sixth season of the music competition show The Voice. He performed Howie Day’s “Collide” during his blind audition, impressing judges Shakira and Usher with his unique vocal stylings. He initially joined Usher’s team but was later taken under the wing of Adam Levine. Although Morgan was eliminated during the playoffs, his participation in *The Voice* was a crucial stepping stone in his career. It not only raised his profile but also allowed him to make important connections in the music industry.
While in California for The Voice, Morgan began collaborating with Sergio Sanchez of Atom Smash, who served as a vocal coach on the show. Following his stint on The Voice, Morgan relocated to Nashville to pursue his musical ambitions more seriously. He and Sanchez formed a temporary band called Morgan Wallen & Them Shadows. Sanchez introduced Morgan to Bill Ray and Paul Trust of Panacea Records, leading to a pivotal moment in his career.
In 2015, Morgan signed with Panacea Records and was joined by Dominic Frost on guitar. He released his debut EP, *Stand Alone*, on August 24, 2015. The EP’s lead single, “Spin You Around,” marked Morgan’s debut under Panacea Records and would later be certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2021.
Following the release of his debut EP, Morgan Wallen’s career began to gain momentum. His growing popularity led to a record deal with Big Loud Records in 2016. Under Big Loud, Morgan released his debut studio album, “If I Know Me”, in 2018. The album featured several successful singles, including “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line, which became a significant hit on country radio and was certified multi-platinum. Other notable tracks from the album included “Whiskey Glasses” and “Chasin’ You,” both of which reached the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Morgan’s success continued with his sophomore album, “Dangerous: The Double Album”, released in January 2021. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and held the top spot for several weeks, making history as the first country album to spend its first seven weeks at number one. The album featured hit singles such as “More Than My Hometown,” “7 Summers,” and “Sand in My Boots.” *Dangerous: The Double Album* was a commercial and critical success, solidifying Morgan Wallen’s status as one of the leading artists in country music.
Morgan Wallen’s journey has not been without its challenges. His personal life has been the subject of public scrutiny, particularly following a series of controversies. In February 2021, a video surfaced showing Morgan using a racial slur, which led to widespread backlash and temporary suspension of his music from various radio stations and streaming platforms. Morgan issued a public apology and took steps to educate himself and address his behavior, including seeking guidance from the Black Music Action Coalition.
In addition to his musical career, Morgan Wallen has been involved in various philanthropic efforts. He has supported several charitable organizations and causes, including efforts to provide aid to communities affected by natural disasters and supporting healthcare initiatives. Morgan’s commitment to giving back to his community is an important aspect of his public persona, reflecting his values and dedication to making a positive impact beyond his music.
Wallen’s second studio album, “Dangerous: The Double Album”, released in January 2021, was a monumental achievement. In February 2021, it became the only country album in the 64-year history of the Billboard 200 to spend its first seven weeks at No. 1. The album maintained its top position for a total of ten weeks, a feat unmatched since Whitney Houston’s “Whitney” in 1987. “Dangerous: The Double Album” included popular singles such as “More Than My Hometown,” “7 Summers,” and “Wasted on You,” all of which contributed to its record-breaking success.
In 2023, Wallen released his third studio album, *One Thing at a Time*, which further cemented his status as a leading country music artist. The album topped the Billboard 200 for 19 non-consecutive weeks, with all 36 tracks entering the Billboard Hot 100. This unprecedented achievement broke the record for the most songs by an artist on the chart simultaneously. The single “Last Night” from the album peaked atop the Hot 100, becoming Wallen’s first single to achieve this distinction. It also set the record for the most weeks at number one for a non-collaboration song, tying for the second most weeks of all time and topping the year-end chart.
At the outset of his career, Wallen underwent a personal stylistic transformation, adopting a distinctive mullet that became a signature part of his image. This retro hairstyle was inspired by a photograph of his father sporting a similar look. Wallen’s appearance, described by Kelefa Sanneh in *The New Yorker* as an “Everyman rock star” look, helped shape his public persona as “not just a singer but a character.” This unique style, combined with his compelling stage presence, made him a standout figure in the country music industry.
In addition to his musical career, Morgan Wallen has been involved in various philanthropic efforts. He has supported several charitable organizations and causes, including efforts to provide aid to communities affected by natural disasters and supporting healthcare initiatives. Morgan’s commitment to giving back to his community is an important aspect of his public persona, reflecting his values and dedication to making a positive impact beyond his music.
Morgan Wallen’s prominence in the music industry continued to grow, bolstered by a substantial following on social media platforms such as TikTok. His growing popularity and charismatic appeal inadvertently turned him into a sex symbol. This heightened visibility led to Wallen gracing the cover of Billboard magazine, which posed the question: “Is Morgan Wallen Country’s Next Global Star?”
In April 2021, Wallen sought to make amends by donating $300,000 to the Black Music Action Coalition in the names of 20 individuals who had counseled him following the incident. These individuals had the option to direct their respective $15,000 donations to a charity of their choice or keep the funds within the BMAC. Wallen also addressed his actions during an interview on *Good Morning America* on July 23, where he admitted that he was wrong to use such language and acknowledged that it was part of a larger issue within his social circles.
Controversy
Wallen’s career has also been marked by personal challenges and controversies. In February 2021, a video surfaced showing Wallen using a racial slur, which led to widespread backlash and temporary suspension of his music from various radio stations and streaming platforms. Wallen issued a public apology and took steps to educate himself and address his behavior, including seeking guidance from the Black Music Action Coalition. Despite these challenges, Wallen has remained committed to his music and his fans, continuing to release new music and perform.
Despite the controversy, Wallen’s music began returning to country radio in August 2021 with the release of his single “Sand in My Boots.” He was nominated for Favorite Male Country Artist and Favorite Country Album at the 2021 American Music Awards. However, due to the controversy, he was not invited to attend the ceremony and was thus unable to accept any awards he might have won, which ultimately, he did not.
Though Morgan Wallen’s public image suffered significantly after his use of a racial slur was caught on video, his popularity did not wane. In fact, the week following the controversy saw a surge in the sales of his album “Dangerous: The Double Album”, with both physical and digital sales increasing by over 100%. This unprecedented boost in sales demonstrated Wallen’s resilient fan base and the enduring appeal of his music. He remained at the top of the Billboard charts for an additional seven weeks, with his previous album “If I Know Me” even entering the top 10 for the first time. Over the subsequent years, *Dangerous* continued to perform exceptionally well, earning the title of the best-performing album of 2021. By 2022, it had broken the record for the most weeks in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart among albums by a solo artist, surpassing a milestone that had stood for half a century. Ben Sisario of *The New York Times* aptly described “Dangerous” as “an unusually enduring hit.”
Undeterred by the backlash, Wallen continued to release new music and perform to sold-out venues. His “Dangerous Tour”, featuring arenas and amphitheaters, was a complete sell-out, showcasing his strong fan following. His single “You Proof” became his second hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and his first to reach the top five; both “You Proof” and “Thought You Should Know” topped the country charts. Wallen also ventured into cross-genre collaborations, teaming up with rapper Lil Durk on the song “Broadway Girls,” which became a top-15 hit on the Hot 100. They performed the song live together at the MLK Freedom Fest in Nashville, further highlighting Wallen’s versatility as an artist.
In addition to his solo success, Wallen has made significant contributions as a songwriter. He co-wrote the Tyler Joe Miller single “Wild as Her,” released in February 2022, and the Keith Urban single “Brown Eyes Baby,” released in July 2022. His songwriting prowess has been recognized by his peers and has added another dimension to his career in the music industry.
On April 23, 2023, Wallen was set to perform at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. However, just minutes before he was due to take the stage, he announced that he could not perform due to losing his voice. Fans were directed to receive refunds at their points of purchase. Despite this setback, Wallen continued to collaborate with other artists, featuring on the song “Stand by Me” from Lil Durk’s eighth studio album, “Almost Healed”, released in May 2023. He also co-wrote the 2023 single “Fixer Upper” by Dallas Smith, showcasing his continued influence and presence in the music industry.
On January 26, 2024, Panacea Records released a deluxe 10th anniversary edition of Morgan Wallen’s 2015 EP “Stand Alone”, which included eight previously unreleased songs recorded during the same sessions as the original tracks. This release provided fans with a deeper look into Wallen’s early work and artistic development. However, Wallen expressed his dissatisfaction with the release, stating on his Instagram page that it was happening “against his wishes.”
Morgan Wallen continued to captivate audiences with his live performances and new music. On March 3, 2024, he participated in the prestigious Abbey Road Sessions, where he delivered a series of performances, including a brand-new song titled “Lies Lies Lies.” This performance showcased Wallen’s musical versatility and his ability to connect with fans through intimate, acoustic settings. Following this, on May 2, 2024, Wallen announced the release of his next single, “I Had Some Help,” a collaboration with renowned artist Post Malone. The single, released on May 10, 2024, further demonstrated Wallen’s ability to blend different musical genres and appeal to a broad audience.
Awards
Morgan Wallen’s talent and hard work have earned him numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career. In 2023, he was honored with the Academy of Country Music Award for Male Artist of the Year, a significant milestone that underscored his impact on the country music scene. Earlier, in 2020, Wallen received the Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year, recognizing his emergence as a significant new talent in the industry.
His album “Dangerous: The Double Album” earned widespread acclaim, winning the Academy of Country Music Award for Album of the Year in 2022. Wallen also received the Billboard Music Award for Top Country Artist in both 2021 and 2023, further solidifying his standing as one of the leading artists in the genre. His success continued at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, where he was named Country Artist of the Year in both 2023 and 2024.
Wallen’s albums have consistently performed well, with “One Thing at a Time and Dangerous: The Double Album” both winning the Billboard Music Award for Top Country Album in 2021 and 2023. His breakthrough in the mainstream music scene was marked by winning the Billboard Music Award for Top Billboard 200 Album in 2023 for One Thing at a Time. The same year, his single “Last Night” earned him the Billboard Music Award for Top Hot 100 Song.
In addition to these accolades, Wallen has also been recognized as a top performer and artist. He won the Billboard Music Award for Top Male Artist in 2023 and the American Music Award for Favorite Male Artist Country in 2022. His song “Last Night” was a major hit, leading to awards for Top Country Song and Top Streaming Song at the Billboard Music Awards in 2023. Wallen’s continued success on streaming platforms was also recognized with the Billboard Music Award for Top Streaming Songs Artist in 2023.
At the iHeartRadio Music Awards, Wallen’s albums were celebrated as Country Album of the Year in both 2022 and 2024, acknowledging the sustained popularity and impact of Dangerous: The Double Album and One Thing at a Time. His single “Wasted On You” won the American Music Award for Favorite Song Country in 2022. Wallen’s prowess as a live performer was highlighted by winning the Billboard Music Award for Top Country Tour in 2023. He also received the Billboard Music Award for Top Country Male Artist in 2021, 2022, and 2023, showcasing his dominance in the genre over multiple years.
Social Media
Morgan Wallen has built a substantial following on social media, with over 760,000 followers on X (formerly known as Twitter) under the handle @MorganWallen.
Personal Life
Morgan Wallen has navigated a complex personal life while maintaining a successful career. He is not married, nor has he ever been publicly known to be married. Wallen and KT Smith were previously engaged but ultimately broke up. The two share a son, born in 2020 after their split.
Net Worth
Morgan Wallen’s financial success mirrors his professional achievements. As of now, his net worth is estimated to be $12 million. This substantial wealth is a testament to his successful music career, including album sales, touring, and other ventures.